Metro Manila wide water crisis looms

Manila Water Company Inc. said the water crisis felt within its concession will also be felt in the west zone concession as Angat Dam, which supplies more than 90 percent of Metro Manila’s water needs, is about to hit its critical level.

Manila Water President and Chief Executive Officer Ferdinand Dela Cruz said his company is now working closely to observe the water level in Angat Dam.

He said in a Manila Bulletin report that a supply disruption in Angat will not just affect Manila Water but the entire Metro Manila.

Angat Dam releases 4 million liters of water per day (mld) for Metro Manila. As Monday, Angat Dam’s water level was at 182.93 meters, which is way below its spilling level of 212 meters.

Manila Water currently gets an allocation of 1,600 mld from Angat, while West Zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services, Inc. gets the rest or about 2,400 mld.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is now appealing to consumers to conserve water amid the prevalence of the mild El Niño.